Method and installation for blowing out water in a fuel cell hydrogen circuit

ABSTRACT

Fuel cell  
     The installation comprises cells which are comprised each of two anode compartments ( 4   1  and  4   2 ), a connection between the outlet ( 9   1 ) of the first anode compartment and the inlet ( 8   2 ) of the second anode compartment, a connection between the outlet ( 9   2 ) of the second anode compartment and the inlet ( 8   1 ) of the first anode compartment, a circuit ( 10 ) for supplying hydrogen to said anode circuits of the cells by means of two branches in parallel ( 11   1  and  11   2 ) controlled by two opening-closing members ( 12   1  and  12   2 ), means periodically control the reversal of the condition of said members.  
     Application to air-hydrogen cells

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of fuel cells and relates more particularly to cells of the type using, as combustion supporter, air enriched or not in oxygen, or even pure oxygen and, as fuel, hydrogen.

[0002] The structures of fuel cells of the above type are known as well as their principle of operation which involves the consumption of hydrogen in the anode compartment.

[0003] Such operation is characterized by the production in the anode circuit of water, nitrogen diffusing through the membrane separating the anode compartment from the cathode compartment, as well as possibly impurities initially present in the hydrogen and which tend to concentrate.

[0004] So as to maintain optimum operating conditions, water, nitrogen and impurities are eliminated by proceeding generally to regular purges of the hydrogen circuit.

[0005] The frequency of the necessary purges depends on the characteristics of the cell as well as the operating cycles and can range from several seconds to several minutes.

[0006] One of the operating characteristic of such cells is also to leave, at the outlet of the anode circuit, a residual quantity of unconsumed hydrogen which is thus lost if the elimination of water, nitrogen and impurities is carried out by periodic purges.

[0007] So as to avoid a loss of hydrogen, the prior art ensured a recirculation of the mixture from the outlet of the anode compartment to reinject it at the inlet of the same compartment of the cell. Such a reinjection ensures continued mixing of the gases and improves the operation in the presence of impurities and nitrogen but however does not solve the problem of recover of the water which is to be recovered so as to promote the hydraulic balance of the operation, particularly to ensure moistening and/or cooling of the cells.

[0008] The choice of proceeding with recirculation of the mixture requires using particular technical means and, particularly, the presence of a circulator which constitutes a rotary machine that is relatively complicated and subject to sensitive operating conditions, particularly in the presence of liquid water.

[0009] Such a rotary machine constitutes costly equipment, requiring substantial maintenance and, as a result, substantially increasing the purchase price as well as the operating cost of a fuel cell.

[0010] Moreover, it has been noted that the recirculation of mixture does not always improve the conditions effective to eliminate water, particularly when the speed of the principal gaseous mixture is not sufficient. This drawback could be overcome at least in part by subjecting the mixture to more rapid recirculation, but then the problems inherent in the presence of the circulator proportionately increase.

[0011] No matter what the operational conditions described above, it is moreover always necessary to have a particularly effective phase separator so as to be able to ensure the separation of the water. However, such a separator constitutes a relatively burdensome accessory, occupying a substantial volume and giving rise to problems of inertia in the case of stopping or starting the operation of a fuel cell.

[0012] The present invention relates to a process and installation seeking to eliminate the above drawbacks by using a technical means of small size, low cost, low maintenance and which are adapted to bring about, by alternate circulation, a purge of the water included in the hydrogen circuit of a fuel cell.

[0013] To achieve the above object, the purge process, according to the invention, is characterized in that it consists in:

[0014] making each cell so as to comprise a pair of first and second anode compartments,

[0015] connecting the outlet of the first anode compartment to the inlet of the anode circuit of the second anode compartment,

[0016] connecting the outlet of the second anode compartment to the inlet of the first anode compartment,

[0017] connecting the inlets of the anode circuits of the cells with a hydrogen supply circuit through two parallel branches controlled by two opening-closing members,

[0018] periodically controlling the reversal of the conditions of said members.

[0019] The invention also has for its object an installation for the practice of the above process, such an installation being characterized in that it comprises

[0020] cells which are each comprised of a pair of first and second anode compartments,

[0021] a connection between the outlet of the first anode compartment and the inlet of the second anode compartment,

[0022] a connection between the outlet of the second anode compartment and the inlet of the first anode compartment,

[0023] a hydrogen supply circuit for the anode circuits of the cells by means of two parallel branches and controlled by two opening-closing members,

[0024] means to control periodically the reversal of the conditions of said members.

[0025] The various other characteristics will become apparent from the description given below with reference to the accompanying drawings which show, by way of non-limiting example, embodiments of the structure and method of the invention.

[0026]FIG. 1 is a schematic view showing the invention in a simplified embodiment of a fuel cell.

[0027]FIG. 2 is a schematic view relating to a fuel cell embodiment comprised by n cells,

[0028]FIG. 3 is a schematic view analogous to FIG. 1 but showing one phase of the process.

[0029]FIGS. 4 and 5 are schematic views analogous to FIGS. 1 and 3, but corresponding to a modified embodiment of the invention.

[0030] In the simplified embodiment shown in FIG. 1, a fuel cell designated by 1 comprises a cell 2 which is constituted by two half-cells 2 ₁ and 2 ₂ having the same constituent characteristics. Each half-cell comprises a cathode compartment 3 ₁, 3 ₂ and an anode compartment 4 ₁, 4 ₂ each containing a cathode electrode and an anode electrode which are separated by a permeation and reaction membrane 5 ₁, 5 ₂.

[0031] In a conventional manner, the compartments 3 ₁ and 3 ₂ are connected to a circuit 6 for the supply of an oxidizer such as pure oxygen or air enriched or not in oxygen. Also conventionally, the anode compartments 4 ₁ and 4 ₂ are connected to a supply circuit for fuel, which is to say hydrogen, which, according to the invention, gives rise to the following structural arrangements.

[0032] The hydrogen supply circuit of the half-cell 2 ₁ is designated by reference 7 ₁ and comprises an inlet 8 ₁ and an outlet 9 ₁, whilst the corresponding circuit for the half-cell 2 ₂ comprises an inlet 8 ₂ and an outlet 9 ₂.

[0033] According to the invention, the outlet 9 ₂ of the cell 2 ₂ is connected to the inlet 8 ₁ of the compartment 4 ₁ of the first half-cell. Similarly, the outlet 9 ₁ of the compartment 4 ₁ is connected to the inlet 8 ₂ of the compartment 4 ₂ of the second half-cell 2 ₂.

[0034] The circuits 7 ₁ and 7 ₂ are moreover connected to a circuit 10 for supplying hydrogen by means of two branches 11 ₁ and 11 ₂ in parallel and which are controlled by two opening-closing members 12 ₁ and 12 ₂.

[0035] Preferably, but not necessarily, the members 12 ₁ and 12 ₂ are of the all or nothing type by being reversely conjugated and are controlled to reverse their conditions in a synchronous manner by suitable technical means, such as particularly a timer.

[0036] The means which are described with respect to the cell 2 are transposable, with the necessary changes having been made, to a fuel cell 1 which will be comprised (FIG. 2) of n cells 2, such as 2 ₁, 2 _(n), responding to the characteristics described with respect to FIG. 1.

[0037] In such a case, the inlets and outlets of the different cells 2 are connected by collectors 13, 14, 15 and 16, whilst the circuit portions 7 ₁ and 7 ₂ are connected to the common supply 10 by means of two parallel branches 11 ₁ and 11 ₂. It must be considered that the equivalent means can be used to assume the same function and that, in certain cases, it is possible to envisage the use of a circuit supplying the two branches and the two members 12 for each cell 2.

[0038] In service, as shown in FIG. 1, the member 12 ₁ is open whilst the member 12 ₂ is closed. As a result, hydrogen under the pressure of the supply circuit 10 flows through branch 11 ₁, passes through the open member 12 ₁ and enters the circuit 7 ₁ to supply hydrogen to the anode compartment 4 ₁.

[0039] The operative reaction takes place in the usual way in the half-cell 2 ₁ whose cathode compartment is supplied with oxidizer.

[0040] During this operating phase, the essentially gaseous mixture which leaves the anode compartment 4 ₁ flows through the outlet 9 ₁ to follow the circuit 7 ₂ and to be recycled into the anode compartment 4 ₂ of the half-cell 2 ₂ whose cathode compartment 3 ₂ is also supplied with oxidizer.

[0041] The residual hydrogen which is thus recycled is consumed in the half-cell 2 ₂ whose compartment 4 ₂ is subject, despite non-optimum operating conditions, to mixing or circulation of the gaseous mixture by the recycling of the latter from the outlet of the anode compartment 4 ₁.

[0042] After an operating phase characterized by timing of a predetermined duration which may be adjustable, the condition of the members 12 ₁ and 12 ₂ is reversed as shown in FIG. 3 such that hydrogen is then supplied to the anode compartment 4 ₂ whose outlet 9 ₂ ensures recycling toward the inlet of compartment 4 ₁ of the half-cell 2 ₁, of the mixture of gas from the reaction taking place within the half-cell 2 ₂.

[0043] The same advantages are thus obtained and permit ensuring, under the best conditions, the separation of the included water by interposing, for example at the outlet 9 ₁ or 9 ₂, or even beyond these two outlets, at least two and preferably two separators 14 having an outlet 15 for the elimination of water.

[0044] It must be considered that the members l2 ₁ and 12 ₂ can be constituted by valves or similar devices and that they can also be replaced by flap valves or other members sensitive to pressure, if desired associated with non-return technical means.

[0045] In such a case, the pressure variations which take place as a function of the cyclic supply of one half-cell, and then the other one, permit, as a function of the threshold of adjustment imposed on the members 12 ₁ and 12 ₂, an automatic reversal of their condition, either by separate control or by conjoint control.

[0046] There can also be used, to ensure the same function, detectors of the partial pressure of hydrogen 17 controlling the change of condition of the members 12 ₁ and 12 ₂.

[0047]FIGS. 4 and 5 show a modified embodiment in which the outlets 9 ₁ and 9 ₂ are controlled by members l8 ₁ and 18 ₂, such as valves, which are controlled reversely in direct relation to the members l2 ₁ and 12 ₂, by being subjected to analogous conditions of operation. The valves 18 ₁ and 18 ₂ can also be of the automatic sequence type or, on the contrary, under timed control or under the control of the detection of pressure thresholds, particularly by detectors 17. In such an arrangement, when the supply of the anode compartment 4 ₁ is ensured by opening the member 12 ₁, the valve 18 is then preferably closed, whilst the valve 18 ₁ can be optionally open or closed.

[0048] During reversal of supply, the member 12 ₁ is closed whilst the member 12 ₂ is open and, simultaneously, the valve 18 ₁ is closed as shown in FIG. 5.

[0049]FIG. 4 shows that at least one separator 17 can be disposed between the outlet 9 ₂ and the valve 18 ₂ or between the outlet 9 ₁ and the valve 18 ₁.

[0050] It should be considered that a separator 17 can also be disposed downstream of each of the valves 18 ₁, 18 ₂.

[0051] The invention is not limited to the examples described and shown, because various modifications can be given to it without departing from its scope. 

1. Process for purging the water included in a hydrogen circuit, by alternate circulation of hydrogen in a fuel cell, characterized in that it consists in: making each cell so as to comprise a pair of first and second anode compartments, connecting the outlet of the first anode compartment to the inlet of the anode circuit of the second anode compartment, connecting the outlet of the second anode compartment to the inlet of the first anode compartment, connecting the inlets of the anode circuits of the cells with a hydrogen supply circuit via two parallel branches controlled by two opening-closing members, periodically controlling the reversal of the conditions of said members.
 2. Process according to claim 1, characterized in that the cross-section of passage of the outlets of the anode circuits of the cells is controlled by opening-closing valves and in that the reversal of the conditions of said valves is periodically controlled.
 3. Process according to one of claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the reversal of the conditions of the members and/or of the valves is periodically controlled by timing.
 4. Process according to claim 1, characterized in that the reversal of the conditions of the members and/or of the valves is periodically controlled by rendering them sensitive to pressure thresholds.
 5. Process according to claim 4, characterized in that the members and/or the valves are controlled by placing them in dependence on detectors of the partial pressure of hydrogen prevailing in the anode circuits of the cells.
 6. Process according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the water is recovered by means of at least one separator disposed at the outlet of the anode circuit of at least one of the last cells.
 7. Installation for purging water included in the hydrogen circuit of a fuel cell (1) comprised of n cells, characterized in that it comprises: cells which are comprised each of a pair of first and second anode compartments (4 ₁ and 4 ₂), a connection between the outlet (9 ₁) of the first anode compartment and the inlet (8 ₂) of the second anode compartment, a connection between the outlet (9 ₂) of the second anode compartment and the inlet (8 ₁) of the first anode compartment, a hydrogen supply circuit (10) for the anode circuits of the cells by means of two parallel branches (11 ₁ and 11 ₂) controlled by two opening-closing members (12 ₁ and 12 ₂), means periodically to control the reversal of conditions of said members.
 8. Installation according to claim 7, characterized in that it comprises opening-closing valves (18 ₁ and 18 ₂), controlling the cross-section of the passage of the anode outlets (9 ₁ and 9 ₂), as well as means periodically to control the reversal of the condition of said valves.
 9. Installation according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that the means periodically to control the reversal of the conditions of the members and/or of the valves are timed.
 10. Installation according to one of claims 7 to 9, characterized in that the means periodically to control the reversal of the conditions of the members and/or of the valves comprise means sensitive to pressure thresholds.
 11. Installation according to one of claims 7 to 10, characterized in that the means periodically to control the reversal of said members and/or valves comprise detectors (17) of the partial pressure of hydrogen in the anode circuits of the cells controlling said members and/or valves.
 12. Installation according to one of claims 7 to 11 characterized in that it comprises at least one water separator (14) disposed in at least one of the outlets of the anode circuits. 